Hilltoppers Win Ninth Consecutive C-USA Opening Series

Sunday, March 19

El Paso, TX

12 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

17-9, 2-1

UTEP

10-16, 2-4

Western Kentucky

UTEP

3/19/2023 2:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

EL PASO, Texas – The Miners and Hilltoppers took to the field Sunday morning at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex, where WKU defeated UTEP, 6-1, to take the series and win their ninth conference opening series since joining Conference USA in 2015. Katie Gardner pitched a complete seven innings, while Taylor Sanders picked up her seventh home run of the season, leading the Hilltoppers.

Taylor Davis was a perfect four-for-four at the plate with two RBIs, while Faith Hegh collected two hits on the morning. Webster, Hage, and Sanders all found action off the bat as WKU tied for the season-high seven bases stolen.

WKU 6, UTEP 1

Moving onto the board fast, leadoff hitter Faith Hegh found a spot above right field for a stand up double, before Taylor Davis came to the plate to take a shot opposite-field and send Hegh home for an early 1-0 lead in the opening frame.

A quiet middle, Katie Gardner threw a no-hitter into the fourth inning until the Miners managed to sneak one in down the right field line. The Tops got things going in the fifth, with back-to-back singles and stolen bases from shortstop TJ Webster and Hegh, Davis put on the wheels with a bunt to send Webster across home and safe at first base, for a 2-0 ballgame.

Later in the frame, Brylee Hage picks up a full-count single with bases loaded for her 17th RBI on the year. Already posting three runs on the board, the Tops wrapped up the inning after catcher Randi Drinnon drew a bases-loaded walk for a 4-0 lead.

In a tough infield pop-up in the bottom of five, the Miners worked their way with a run before Gardner worked her way through a bases-loaded jam scoreless to end the inning.

Picking up insurance runs, third baseman Taylor Sanders notched home run number seven on the season with a two-run shot over the left-center wall on a full count in the top of the sixth frame.

In the circle, Katie Gardner got the go as she worked through her sixth complete game this season as she struck out eight, walked five, and only gave up one run on four hits to the Miners' offense.

The Hilltoppers are back next weekend on The Hill for their Conference USA home opening series against reigning C-USA Champions, North Texas. First pitch for game one is scheduled for March 24 at 6 p.m. CT.

TOP STORYLINES

The Hilltoppers hold the upper hand in the all-time conference series, 9-3.
Head coach Amy Tudor earned her career 500-win mark in the Tops 9-0 win over Evansville. She is 506 all-time, while 289 as WKU's head coach.
The Hilltoppers have won every conference opening series since joining C-USA in 2015, including four sweeps.
On the stat sheet, Faith Hegh is now leading the Tops with a .390 batting average, while also owning 30 hits along with Taylor Sanders and Brylee Hage. Sanders leads with 31 RBIs and seven home runs and while Taylor Davis has stolen 13 bases.
The Hilltoppers collectively hold 218 hits, 135 RBIs, a .315 batting average with 13 home runs.
In the Conference USA Preseason Coaches Poll, the Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second in C-USA, while fifth-year outfielder Taylor Davis was named to the Preseason All-Conference team.

How to Follow Hilltopper Softball: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball, and Facebook/WKUSoftball.